joint

1 of 3

noun

plural joints
1
a(1)
: the point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton with the parts that surround and support it
the hip joint
b
: a part or space included between two articulations, knots, or nodes
2
a
: a place where two things or parts are joined
a joint between two pieces of timber
b
: a space between the adjacent surfaces of two bodies (such as bricks) joined and held together (as by cement or mortar)
c
: a fracture or crack in rock not accompanied by dislocation
d
: the flexing part of a cover along either spine edge of a book
e
: the junction of two or more members of a framed structure
f
: a union formed by two abutting rails in a track including the elements (such as bars and bolts) necessary to hold the abutting rails together
g
: an area at which two ends, surfaces, or edges are attached
3
a
: a shabby or disreputable place of entertainment
a cheap joint
b
: place, establishment
a hamburger joint
c
slang : prison sense 2
spent five years in the joint
4
: a marijuana cigarette
smoking a joint
5
chiefly British : a large piece of meat for roasting
a joint of beef
jointed adjective
jointedly adverb
jointedness noun

joint

2 of 3

adjective

1
: united, combined
the joint influences of culture and climate
2
: common to two or more: such as
a(1)
: involving the united activity of two or more
a joint effort
(2)
: constituting an activity, operation, or organization in which elements of more than one armed service participate
joint maneuvers
(3)
: constituting an action or expression of two or more governments
joint peace talks
b
: shared by or affecting two or more
a joint fine
3
: united, joined, or sharing with another (as in a right or status)
joint heirs
4
mathematics : being a function of or involving two or more variables and especially random variables
a joint probability density function
jointly adverb

joint

3 of 3

verb

jointed; jointing; joints

transitive verb

1
a
: to unite by a joint : fit together
joint two boards
her elbows and shoulders are jointed wrongIrish Digest
b
: to provide with a joint : articulate
c
: to prepare (something, such as a board) for joining by planing the edge
2
: to separate the joints of
joint a piece of meat

intransitive verb

1
: to fit as if by joints
the stones joint neatly
2
: to form joints as a stage in growth
used especially of small grains
Phrases
out of joint
1
a
of a bone : having the head slipped from its socket
b
: at variance
2
b
: being out of humor : dissatisfied
losing put him out of joint

Examples of joint in a Sentence

Noun She's been having pain in her muscles and joints. seal the joints of the pipes Adjective filing a joint tax return They had a joint account at the bank. divorced parents who have joint custody of their child
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The burger joint had been closed since the end of July 2022. The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Established in 1955, this joint is located just outside of town near I-20. Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2024 Construction workers will replace structural elements made of steel like joints, bearings and steel members, as well as concrete barriers for each bridge. The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024 The beloved burger joint will open in Brea inside the former Corner Bakery location at 103 W. Imperial Highway, which shuttered in August. Brock Keeling, Orange County Register, 2 Mar. 2024 Symptoms of brain abscess in deer A deer with a brain abscess may have a visible wound on its head, swollen eyes, swollen joints, or foot sores. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 29 Feb. 2024 The fast-food joint joined the ranks of McDonald’s, KFC and Taco Bell parent Yum Brands, and Burger King parent Restaurant Brands, all of which posted disappointing fourth-quarter sales, largely thanks to customers being unwilling to splurge on pricier fast-food options. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 In a nutshell, flexibility is about range of motion — the ability of joints, muscles and connective tissues to perform the full scope of their natural movements smoothly, without pain. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 To see the full list of burger joints, visit southernliving.com. Reach food reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Grant and Langer campaigning together Grant and Langer had a joint campaign launch promoted by WisRed. Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 Authorities in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines launched joint investigations to track down the suspects who allegedly left behind a violent scene on the missing couple’s yacht, including blood stains. Michael Rios, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 These new meat alternatives come from the Kraft Heinz Not Company, a 2-year-old joint venture between Oscar Mayer and TheNotCompany, which also makes NotChicken Patties, NotMilk, Kraft NotMac&Cheese, Kraft NotCheese Slices, and NotMayo. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024 Social media users are putting Five Guys on blast, claiming the burger joint charges too much for its burgers and fries. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Set boundaries and distance yourself from temptation and risky joint ventures. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 This is the fifth child found by Kuno and Calhoun in their joint careers. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Expected to launch in the fall, in time for the NFL season, the sports streaming joint venture will be available directly to consumers, but also as a bundle with WBD’s Max, as well as Disney’s ESPN+ and Hulu. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 In 2014, Rooster Teeth was bought by Fullscreen, which in turn was bought by Otter Media (a joint venture of AT&T and Chernin Group) before Rooster Teeth became part of WarnerMedia under AT&T’s ownership. Todd Spangler, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
That seemed the case when Broadway and singer and actress Patina Miller jointed the Ellington/Gershwin program. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2023 The Obama administration had pushed to create and joint the Trans-Pacific Partnership — a free trade agreement with 11 other Pacific Rim countries — but that effort was abandoned by then-President Trump. Courtney Subramanianstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2022 Texas Tech won its 2021 opener in Houston, but that was the weekend before those four schools got invitations to joint the Big 12. Stephen Hawkins, Chron, 8 Sep. 2022 While anyone can joint the waitlist, only residents who meet the state’s eligibility criteria and live in one of 17 ZIP codes will be invited to book appointments for the federal doses. Dallas News, 25 Feb. 2021 To joint the meeting online, go to https://zoom.us/j/97915479743. Roy Kent, Houston Chronicle, 20 Sep. 2020 The ramen joint in Prospect Lefferts Gardens is offering contactless pickup for everything from all-purpose flour to ramen noodles, homemade miso and stock. Elspeth Velten, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2020 Hua only jointed Twitter -- which is blocked by China's Great Firewall -- relatively recently, one of a number of Chinese diplomats and foreign ministry officials who have taken to the platform to get their message out. James Griffiths, CNN, 22 Apr. 2020 Even some of the most expensive hard swimbaits will blow out on a warp-speed retrieve, but Bucca’s jointed Bull Shad (available in sizes as small as 3 inches and up to 9 inches) is made to swim true at any speed. Pete Robbins, Field & Stream, 2 Mar. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'joint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English jointe, from Anglo-French, from joindre — see join entry 1

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from past participle of joindre — see join entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of joint was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Joint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joint. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

joint

1 of 3 noun
1
a
: the point of contact of two bones in the animal body often including the surrounding and supporting parts
c
: a part or space included between two joints, knots, or nodes
the upper joint of the arm
2
: a large piece of meat for roasting
3
: a place where two things or parts are joined
a joint in a pipe
4
a
: a cheap or shabby place of entertainment
5
: a marijuana cigarette
jointed adjective

joint

2 of 3 adjective
1
: united sense 1, combined
a joint effort
2
: done by or shared by two or more persons
a joint account
3
: sharing with another
joint owner
jointly adverb

joint

3 of 3 verb
1
a
: to fit together
b
: to provide with a joint
2
: to separate the joints of
jointer noun

Medical Definition

joint

noun
: the point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton whether movable or rigidly fixed together with the surrounding and supporting parts (as membranes, tendons, or ligaments)
the capsule of the shoulder joint

Legal Definition

joint

adjective
1
: common to two or more: as
a
: involving the combined activity or negligence of two or more
a joint tort
see also joint tortfeasor compare several
b
: shared by or affecting two or more as a unit
a joint account
2
: united, joined, or sharing with another (as in a right or status)
joint heirs

More from Merriam-Webster on joint

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